KAREEM'S POV

I walked into my sisters apartment on Monday morning to pick up Nuru for school whistling to myself. I was extremely happy and the high I'd been on from my date with Diana had not faded yet. I was still on cloud nine and I was probably not coming down anytime soon.

"Kareem is that you?"Jamila yelled from some part of the house.

Neither her or Nuru were in the kitchen but breakfast was already prepared.

"Yeah."I yelled back serving myself a good helping of everything laid out on the table.

I sat down and proceeded to eat as I scrolled through my phone. A picture taken on Saturday of Diana, Nyashinski and I had me smiling to myself. My plan for date night had only been dinner but when Nyashinski came to the garage to pick up his car and gave me the ticket, my plan became that much more awesome. I would have taken my sister but I was trying to impress Diana so she was my first choice. The Kyle incident just made me look like a real gentleman and that was a plus for me.

"Why are you smiling at your phone like that?"Jamila asked.

I had barely noticed them walking in and taking their seats.

"Nothing."I grumbled puting my phone in my pocket and shoveling food into my mouth.

"Good morning uncle."Nuru greeted.

"Morning munchkin. Sleep well?"I asked leaning in to kiss her temple.

"Yeah but you didn't come for story time yesterday and Saturday."She reminded me with a frown.

Saturday I'd gone out with Diana and Sunday I'd been been home all day cleaning up and had been too tired to see Nuru in the evening.

"I'm sorry munchkin, I'll make it up to you tonight."I apologized.

Nuru nodded satisfied with my answer as she dug into her food.

"Speaking of Saturday, how was your date with Diana?"Jamila asked.

I looked up from my food so fast my neck snapped a little.

"How did you know about that? I didn't tell you."I inquired getting testy.

My sister liked butting into my life a lot so I had made sure that she didn't know about my date with Diana.

"I have my ways. So how was it? Where's did you take her?" She insisted.

Honestly it's as if I couldn't keep anything from Jamila and her nosy self. I decided to give her enough details to get her off my back without revealing too much.

"The date was great, we went to dinner first then a concert at KICC. I dropped her off a few minutes after midnight and since it was a great night I'm already planning on asking her out again."I replied.

"That's great, we didn't get to know each other well but she's beautiful and polite. I like her."Jamila commented.

"Good because I happen to like her too."I admitted.

Jamila just nodded at me with a smile and we proceeded to have the rest of breakfast with minor small talk. After breakfast Jamila cleared the dishes while Nuru went to grab her book bag. I helped Jamila put away some of the left overs and as I was throwing away the trash I noticed a bag full of Jamila's sweets next to it.

"How are sales?"I asked Jamila already guessing the answer.

"Not great, haven't sold much the past few weeks."She replied looking at me sadly.

It broke my heart to see Jamila like that and if there was anything I could have done to boost her sales I would have done it. She hated it when I offered my help and I had closed my eyes long enough but no more. She was passionate about her job and I was going to make sure she earned from it.

"Don't worry siz, it'll get better."I consoled giving her a brief hug.

She just nodded and patted my back definitely not believing a word of what I was saying.

Nuru came back with her backpack and as she was saying goodbye to her mom, I quickly snatched the bag with all of Jamila's sweets. She didn't see me do that so I walked out the door as fast as I could with Nuru behind me.

"Uncle what does going on a date mean?"Nuru asked me a few minutes later after we got on the road.

Looks like Nuru had been paying attention to my talk with her mom.

"It's when a boy and a girl go to places together to have fun."I replied.

"So when you, mommy and I went swimming we were on a date?"She inquired and I realized that I hadn't explained properly.

"No, not exactly. A date is when you go out with someone you are romantically interested in. For example I like Diana, the bookstore lady so I took her out on a date to show her that I like her and that I that I want her to become my girlfriend."I explained.

"Oh, so does that mean I won't have to pay for books anymore?"Nuru asked making me laugh.

"No munchkin, you'll still have to pay for the books. Just because Diana might become my girlfriend doesn't mean I will use her however I like."I expounded.

"Okay uncle but I like Diana, she's pretty. When can we go see her and get more books?"

"Soon munchkin, if you're good."I answered.

"I'll be good."She insisted.

"We'll see."I mumbled.

A few minutes later I pulled up in front of her school. After kissing my cheek goodbye, she carried her bookbag and lunch box out the car and headed inside. After making sure she was in and safe behind the school gates, I merged back into traffic and drove to work. When I arrived I took both my gym bag and Jamila's bag with the sweets inside and after changing into my coveralls I shoved them inside my locker waiting for lunch time.

I walked to my office and began my work for the day. Mondays were usually for taking new orders and finishing up on any work that had been left over the previous week. I didn't exactly like the paper work but it was a necessary evil that came with my job description.

As I was cleaning out a bunch of old papers I saw a blue scrunchie buried under a few files. I pulled it out and I didn't even have to ask who's it was. The only woman who had been to my office recently was Diana and the scrunchie matched the dress she had been wearing that day. Seeing her scrunchie made me smile and think of her. I shoved it into my pocket keeping it as the perfect excuse to go see her within the course of the week.

A few hours later it was finally lunch time so I grabbed the bag of sweets from my locker and made my way towards our makeshift dining area. I found an empty spot on the long table and poured them all out on top.

"Aye bossman did you bring us treats?"Fabian asked reaching for one but I immediately slapped his hand off.

"These are for you guys but they aren't for free. To get a taste you've got to buy them."I replied.

"Did you start a side hustle? Are you in debt or something?"Manuel asked.

"No I'm not in debt, I'm promoting my sisters work. Now I'll put a sample in a plate and you're going to pass it around. If you like it feel free to buy as many packets as you want."I explained grabbing an empty plate.

I opened a packet of mabuyu onto it and handed it to Manuel who took a few pieces and passed it around. Everyone praised how good they were which I already knew. Fabian was the first to buy a few packets followed by Manuel then the rest joined them. By the time I was done the bag was empty and I'd made all the sales. I even gave out Jamila's business number in case they wanted to make orders.

"One thing guys, if you use that number to try and hit on my sister you'll have a problem with me. Business only, I mean it."I insisted putting all the money in my pocket.

I controlled their pay checks and job security so they would definitely listen to me. After serving myself a good helping of rice, beef stew, a banana, water and some fresh juice I took a seat next to Manuel and Fabian.

"Since when does your sister accept your help?"Fabian asked knowing how stubborn my sister was.

"She didn't, I'm doing this behind her back. It'll get me in trouble but at least it will fill her pockets."I replied.

"Well in that case you should bring some around every week."Manuel suggested.

"I'll try it talk Jamila into bringing them herself."

"Great."Manuel nodded with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

He thought I didn't see it but I did. If he even thought that I would approve him for my sister then he was very wrong. I didn't know if Jamila would ever move on from Ezekiel and if she did it would definitely not be to Manuel. She deserved someone great who would also treat Nuru as his own and so far no one I knew fit that description. Fabian came close but he was still figuring his life out. Manuel was too childish and the rest of the guys were huge flirts who didn't like commitment. Yep, definitely no one deserved her.

"Before I forget, tickets for the Masinga Drag Festivals for this year just went on sale. Are you guys going?" Fabian asked.

"Hell yeah, wouldn't miss it."Manuel cheered like a child.

"Yeah of course, it's tradition."I replied.

I'd never missed a festival and I was not planning to. Jamila and Nuru had accompanied me the previous year, but my sister had completely hated it and promised never to go again. Nuru had loved it but I would have to wait until she was a little older to bring her with me without her mom.

"Are we going under Vihaan or solo?"Fabian asked.

"Well I got my own cars so I don't need to depend on him but you two better be on your best behavior if you want his wheels."I replied.

"How much does Vihaan pay you anyway for you to afford both cars?"Manuel asked.

"My paycheck, my secret and besides I invest and don't waste my money on useless things like partying and girls unlike you."I retorted.

"No need to be so smug."Manuel grunted making me laugh.

I was smart with my money thus why I was able to achieve so much in life. I also had a sister and a niece to think of so I couldn't afford to be irresponsible. My future wife also needed to be assured that she was secure so I had to build an empire for myself.

"See you later losers, I've got to get back to work if I want to afford the ticket this year or at least be in the bosses good graces."Manuel said getting up with his dirty dishes.

He put them away before walking back inside. I just continued eating until I felt a pair of eyes boring onto my face.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"I asked Fabian without looking up.

"Nothing, just trying to figure out what's different?"

"What do you mean by different? I'm still the same ol me."I replied.

"Nah, there's something going on. Did you get a new tattoo?"Fabian asked.

"Nope."

"Different haircut?"

"No and quit scrutinizing me you weirdo."I scolded.

"You got laid!"Fabian exclaimed a little too loudly for my liking.

"No I didn't get laid you idiot."I scolded.

"Then what is it?"He insisted.

"Nothing."

Just like my sister I knew he wasn't going to let it go.

"I will find out eventually so you better tell me now."Fabian threatened making me groan.

"Okay fine you twat, if you must know I went out with a girl this weekend and it was really good. I like her and I hope it goes the distance."I explained.

"I knew it. You've got to tell me more."Fabian requested.

"Oh no, I'm not gossiping with you like a bunch of old ladies with nothing better to do. Now shut up so I can finish my food in peace."I demanded.

I should have known the stupid fool would not let it go so easily.

"It's that auditor lady isn't it?"Fabian asked and I looked up glaring at him.

"How the hell did you know about my date with Diana?"I gritted out.

"First of all calm down, I didn't know, I was just guessing but you just confirmed it for me. And I guessed her because I heard you ask Manuel about her. Now tell me, how did it go?"He teased.

"Nope, not happening."I declared getting up to leave.

"Come on man."Fabian yelled after me as I walked back inside with my mug of chai in hand.

Fabian was one of my closet friends but there's no way I was going to let him butt into my life.

The rest of the afternoon went uninterrupted and as always I was the last one to leave. I finished up quite late so the thoughts I had of visiting Diana at the bookcafe would have to wait. I could go to her home but we weren't that close yet for me to drop off whenever I wanted. Though I did make a mental remind to text her as soon as I arrived back home.

Letting myself into the apartment I found the two ladies already having supper.

"I'd say thank you for waiting but it would be sarcastic."I commented taking my place next to Nuru.

"You're not royalty so we can't always be at your beck and call."Jamila retorted serving me a plate anyway.

She handed me a plate of chapati, kunde and steamed cabbage. I dug in immediately but remembered the envelope with cash in my pocket. I retrieved it and handed it to Jamila.

"What's this for?"She asked eyeing the money skeptically.

"Your sales for the day."I replied.

"You took the bag of sweets I left here in the kitchen?"She asked.

"Yeah and I sold them for you, you're welcome."I grinned.

"Kareem?!"She gritted out.

"Oh no, you're not going to scold me. I took them to work and off loaded them to the guys. I also gave them your number so they can contact you whenever they want to make orders. Also you're required to make a delivery once a week there. So just say thank you and we can end this fight."I demanded softly.

A fleet of emotions crossed over Jamila's face as her pride and sense of gratitude fought absinthe each other. One eventually won.

"Thank you Kareem."She expressed with a smile.

"You're welcome."I replied smiling back.

That issue resolved I enjoyed the rest of my supper in peace. Later Nuru and I spent an hour reading before I headed back to my place. After a long shower, I settled in bed and texted Diana. She replied immediately and we spent the next few hours texting back and forth like a couple of teenagers. I was definitely seeing a future with her and couldn't wait to explore the prospects of a relationship with her.

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

This chapter was a bit of a filler but very necessary. See you guys in the next one.

If you could meet one celebrity in the world? Who would it be?

For me I'd say Zeeko Zaki from the FBI series since he is my inspiration for Kareem but maybe I'm just being biased. I have a lot of other celebrities I'd like to meet but for now Zeeko Zaki is at the top of my list. Oh and Charlize Theron because I just rewatched The Old Guard and I'm totally crushing on her. She's a total Milf and so worth crushing for.

Vote

Comment

Share

Love @ Lyssah.